Beckham's tattoo on Facebook

The 35-year-old soccer ace - who already has around 20 etchings - got the inking on his chest before flying to the UK to receive a Lifetime Achievement honour at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on the weekend.

The hunky sportsman posted a photo on his Facebook page of himself bare-chested and getting the tattoo in Los Angeles, and explained the intricate body art took six hours to complete by tattooist to the stars Mark Mahoney.

David wrote: "I want to let you all in on something. Just had a new tattoo done by the legendary Mark Mahoney. Took six hours!"

The Los Angeles Galaxy player - who attended the sports ceremony in Birmingham with his wife Victoria and their three sons, Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and five-year-old Cruz - was presented with his award by Manchester United soccer legend Sir Bobby Charlton, 73.

After receiving a three-minute-long standing ovation, David - who captained England, and won soccer championships with Manchester United and Real Madrid - dedicated his prize to his wife and children, saying: "Not only has she given me three amazing boys but she's truly an inspiration for me every day. So Victoria, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, thank you."

Victoria - who cried in the audience as her husband accepted his statuette - described the reception as "breathtaking" and spoke of her pride for David and their sons.

Writing on twitter, she said: "Words can't express how proud I am of David. A truly wonderful and very emotional evening. I'm so proud of my little men too!!!

"Thank u all so much for your kind words to David! The reception tonight was breath taking and I am so, so proud of him!!